experiencing joy and spring

Two of my windows are open and it is glorious outside. The sun is warm, but not too hot and the breeze is cool, but not too cold. I was told today that Prescott is the number #2 place for the worst allergies in the U.S. Poor souls with allergies. My man is included in that. For those of us who are allergy-less, it is a dream come true. All we need now is a slip-n-slide and a sandbox!

We spent Sunday evening and Monday in P-Town. My mom and sister are on spring break and we retreated down the mountain to embrace warmer weather (88 in March just doesn't seem right, I might add though.) and time with the family. We sat on the back porch for almost every meal and watched Jack run around table and onto the grass. He was experiencing pure bliss, that one. And not once did he say choo-choo for Thomas. Well, he does have his own little push train down there anyway. We shared lots of laughter, updated on news and watched some pointless tv shows (I am glad we got rid of cable. As entertaining as they are.)

 

Watching the trains pass, Jack was so captivated. His focus was on the little steam engine that went in great circles around us.

My focus was on these. Just kidding. Kind of.

A boy with his grandpa.

 On Monday morning my sister, mom, Jack and I headed over to the zoo. It was packed. Like Disneyland packed. Like, let's get out of here kind of packed. You can tell who grew up in small towns when they see the crowd and say, "Oh man. This is ridiculous. Let's do it another day." And we were one of those people. Instead, we fed the ducks chased pigeons.

Better yet, we went to the train park for a picnic on Sunday night. The weather couldn't have been better. John was almost as excited as Jack and we saw the coolest miniature train set. 


I can't even express how thankful I am for spring. I tend to let my moods follow the weather. Some days are good for a solemn overcast and dreary day, but when the sun is out you can't help but smile. Maybe Jesus knew that when he put me in Arizona. Too much cold, cloudy weather does this girl no good. I believe it's speeding the healing process and drawing our hearts nearer to Him. We're planting some vegetables this week and they will be ready in just a few months time. Maybe we'll be ready to try again then too. 



The only debby downer of the day is that Jack has a fever. My poor little goose. I had so many things planned for this week, but when a kiddo gets sick the play dates have to come to an unfortunate hault. Hopefully he feels better soon. For his sake, of course. 


I'm also anxious for the newest Office episode. Don't judge me, but last week I had a dream about Michael Scott and the very next night I had a dream about Jim. I think my mind is Office-deprived. And to just think it's almost over. 


In other news, John and I just started watching the (older)tv series Six Feet Under. Mostly because of my brother's recommendation. Somehow, it connects us through all these miles.

addicts and budgets

I've been a little MIA on the computer lately.

Not because I lost my love for the computer. I've been pretty addicted since 7th grade when my aol screen name was jelybely83 (taylor hanson loved jelly belly jelly beans and he was born in '83. That's pretty embarrassing, actually..) 

But the biggest culprit is THIS guy.

He is ADDICTED to Thomas the train. every time I open our Armour (where our tv and computer are one) he makes train noises and points frantically. he cries. he whines. he brings me thomas the train books. i turn it on and he is in heaven. he climbs up on his little chair and perches himself there for a good round of thomas.

Having gone to Capernwray bible school in England and lived in northern England for 9 months, i gotta be honest when i say that watching thomas makes me miss England. when their little british voices sing "there's 2, there's 4, there's 6 there's 8..." and when they say, "thomas! is the cheeky one." I feel myself smiling a little brighter inside. It's the little things.

We had a picnic today. And it was great. Well, pretty great except for the fact that Jack was ready for his nap and so excited about the 10 foot high slide (not really) that he is too little for that he didn't want to eat a thing. So much for a picnic. It was more like a run-around-laughing-and-chasing-each other kind of time. Just as good.

a boy in his dad's shadow. precious.

On another note, today we trimmed our hedges. well, ahem, it was really my project, but john offered to help. two things. one: i had no idea my hands were so weak. i can hardly lift a glass of water after trimming TWO hedges. what? two: i didn't realize that if your husband volunteers to help, but then gets an allergy attack that all the cleaning up would fall on you. it was a pretty intense clean up round here. But all is well and the day has come to an end. John is studying and Jack is sleeping. Ah.

 

Today I found a few really incredible deals at the local thrift stores.

Deal number 1: An original E.T blanket. We used it during our picnic and one day I hope to put it on Jack's bed. 2.99!

Deal number 2: a quilt for the quest room. I've been looking for WEEKS for something to replace the flowered-red-blanket-I-brought-from-home-when-we-got-married and I finally found it. Best part? 8 bucks! 

We've started to have to reign in our spending. I don't think I'm a big spender. I'm pretty cheap (case in point, see above.) however, as my dear man says, "we are spending more than we have." So. We did it. We have a strict budget and we're trying to stick to it. We've had to sacrifice a few things (mostly like eating out) and...as a mother of a one year old who is best entertained when he is out and about, this has been a little tricky. I've realized that so much of what helps the day run smoother are little errands. And when those errands occur, so does spending money. But we are on a new path, friends. I pray so. I'm so thankful for endless playdates and friends who enjoy a cup of coffee on the couch while our kids play. 

Or while Jack tries to attack them. Either way.

How do you get a one year old to not attack their friends, anyway? I think he's just excited, but he wants to love on them so...fiercely. I hope he always loves that way.

Today has been a day of adventure.


With the arrival of spring comes much outdoor time.

The air is crisp and warm. The breeze is consistence and does this heart good.

Jack is loving everything outdoors. He has no fear of falling on rocks or falling at all, really. This, he does not get from me. I pray that he doesn't love snakes. Or scorpians. Or things like that, but I have a feeling he will.



Today we played outside with friends. We laughed, we watched the boys manouver shovels and take each others trucks. I could see them as elementary aged kids, playing in the water and catching garden snakes. I could see them chasing each other through the woods. It's hard to imagine Jack that old, but I know he will be. Before I know it. I'm so thankful for friends that will be going through that journey too. For friends that Jack will know since he was so little and will great adventures with.

It's days like these that I really feel Christ's healing. In moments where laughter is shared and funny one-year-old's keep you on your toes. In moments where a good lunch and some sparkling water really hits the spot. Times when you can feel your friends sharing the load. Just being with you on the journey.

 The boys. Complete oblivious to the camera and taking it all in.

 It's hard to capture all the beauty that was out there today. 

Is there a new Office episode on tonight? Because I've been missing it. For real.

window into a person

I just can't help myself.

I love going through old pictures. In fact, I love going through other people's pictures too. It's a window into their person. Their life and memories. It's like watching a movie and one where you don't know what happens, but you get to see fragments of it. Kind of like a good movie trailer. 

John's mama gave us a bunch of family pictures and I am having a blast going through them. Lots of laughter and explain-what's-going-on here questions are shared. I think John likes it too. More of those to come.

I found this one a few weeks ago while at my parent's house. It captures that moment in time so well. Each of us in our own awkward stage (except for my cute little sister Maggie) and each one of us growing and changing. We were celebrating my sister's 2nd birthday. We have some great siblings dynamics. I love them a whole lot.





And I am so glad I don't wear jeans like that anymore. Or pose like that any more...oh wait. I was such a little wannabe diva. My brothers thought I was the most annoying person on this earth. My sister adored me. I was in my own world and didn't even notice. Those were pre-glasses days and pre-puberty days too. Boy, if I wish I could that Mel a few things. for instance. do not play barbies when your older brother's friends are over. They will tease you. And also, don't ride your bike in a hurry, you will fly over the handlebars and dislocate your shoulder.

++

This week has brought with it much sunshine. I'm really going to try and be outside more before the heat comes a-blazin. I'm not much of a lover of the outdoors. I tend to enjoy feeling the sun more through the window. Since moving to Prescott (one of the most beautiful places on earth) and leaving the heat and crowded city of Phoenix, I feel like a new Mel is emerging. I want to embrace the warmth, the ground beneath my feet and the hills to climb and explore. Jack loves to be outside (takes after his dad on that one) and I have a feeling we will be spending a lot of time outside. And that's a good thing. And I shall join him. Perhaps with sunglasses and a good book in tow, but I will be there. 

On Monday we had clouds and tempting storms. It didn't rain but for a minute. I can't wait for monsoons. There's a summer bonus.

 

jack was so tired. Poor buddy.

ashes to beauty.

 "At the foot of the cross
Where grace and suffering meet
You have shown me Your love
Through the judgment You received."

At the Foot of the Cross - Kathryn Scott

With Spring arriving this week, we welcomed it with Jack's first flipflops ever. He loved them. They hardly stayed on his feet, but he wore them around the house in his diaper for awhile. You would have thought there was gold on his feet, he was so excited.

I know the second picture is fuzzy, but I just couldn't help myself. Way too much fun. 

++


His grace is new every morning, but I really feel it today. I can't carry much of anything on my own and I'm so thankful He can. He is secure and consistent and His love is unending. He is faithful.




We have been attacked by sudden allergies. Besides feeling stuffed up and congested we are trying to make the most of this nice weather. How, you ask? Why by taking 2 hour naps and pickin up some yummy Easter candy like these and these. Yum and yum. Goodnight.


p.s. I'm not ashamed to say I love this song.



I could listen to again and again.

Our favorite? To play it after dinner/and or to coax Jack to finish his dinner and we dance. Well, mostly I dance, but Jack does a few jigs from his highchair. John jams out by convincing Jack his purred green beans (because by this point he won't eat much of anything) are good. He eats them, unknowingly, and smiles and claps his hands high. That's my boy.

jack attack

Spring arrived this week. And to celebrate we ate oatmeal and got oatmeal in our (Jack's only, thankfully) hair.

And I'm finally ready to embrace Spring. 

Typically, I'd like for it hold off a few months more, but the air smells so pure and fresh and the breeze is so pleasant. The blue sky is like a an ocean of warmth. I am anxious to begin our project of putting up a fence and a swing set. One of the goals for March/April 2011. Jack is going to go wild. He loves being outside so much, but few boundaries=wild child.

The two cars on the right are his recent obsession. I kid you not, he gets those two cars every single morning and evening. Just those two. He has one for each hand. He'll play with others, but at the end of the day these two are his fav. My heart fills with joy at the very thought of it. Our 15 month old is obsessive just like his 'ol mama.

So while we enjoyed the brief snow on Sunday, we welcomed the 60 degree weather by Monday (which does a number on your allergies and/or headaches.)


Have I mentioned playdates should be renamed mommy-dates? Because they are a piece of my sanity, I tell you. Sharing a Red Baron pizza with friends and watching our little guys bully each other off of the rocking horse brings such love. So thankful for friends to share this journey with and to laugh instead of lose it with.


Each step throughout the week brings another wave of healing and rest. From times with friends to a visit from my Dad to a handful of Parenthood episodes. 




Spring brings with it hope. Hope for the future and that we never leave His hands. 


Truth be told, my little Jack is a bit of a bully. I don't think he means to (all the time) but he gets a little aggressive. And scares some friends. Sometimes all he wants to give is a hug and other times, he wants to communicate that he's not too happy. I'm trying to teach him to be gentle, which typically results in an attempt-to-kiss, but being a little too rough. I have a feeling he'll always be affectionate (courtesy of his papa, who loves to cuddle.) but we're really trying to work on no hitting. Even when frustrated. Which often results in Mel learning new ways to discipline besides a smack on the little hand. He just hits back anyway. Here's a play by play of the guy in action.

 Thankfully, Ollie didn't seem to care too much.

Where oh where has my little boy gone? He's growing up. Too fast. 


I love this picture. And the yellow binky you can barely see on the chair. He's still a lil guy.